It Was In May (1970) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Soviet soldiers confront the lingering horrors of war and Nazi atrocities in postwar Germany.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

Occupation and Suspicion

Soviet soldiers occupy a German farm under suspicious circumstances. Nikolaev crashes his bike and reunites with comrades.

Key Events

• Wartime Newsreel Opening — Wartime newsreel opens film. Characters: Soldier Location: Cinema
• Soviet Troops Occupy Farm — Soviet troops occupy farm. Characters: Soldier Location: Rashke's Farm
• Rashke Acts Servile — Rashke acts servile. Characters: Soldier Location: Rashke's Farm
• Nighttime Departure — Rashke family leaves nightly. Characters: Soldier Location: Rashke's Farm
• Motorcycle Crash — Nikolaev crashes motorcycle. Characters: Soldier Location: Road to Town
• Mansion Rescue — Soldiers rescue Nikolaev. Characters: Soldier Location: Abandoned Mansion

Camp Discovery and Reflection

The group explores an abandoned mansion and stumbles upon a deserted concentration camp. They grapple with the grim reality of the war's end.

Key Events

• Mansion Rescue — Soldiers rescue Nikolaev. Characters: Soldier Location: Abandoned Mansion
• Postwar Reflections — Troops discuss postwar dreams. Characters: Soldier Location: Abandoned Mansion
• Camp Discovery — Troops find deserted camp. Characters: Soldier Location: Deserted Concentration Camp
• Barracks Exploration — Explore haunted barracks. Characters: Soldier Location: Camp Barracks
• Boiler Room Speculation — Speculate on boiler room. Characters: Soldier Location: Thick-Walled Room
• Return to Farm — Return to farm next day. Characters: Soldier Location: Rashke's Farm

Accusation and Trauma

Back at the farm, a pig killing accusation sparks tension. The soldiers' shared trauma and Nikolaev's authority are tested.

Key Events

• Return to Farm — Return to farm next day. Characters: Soldier Location: Rashke's Farm
• Pig Accusation — Pig killing accusation. Characters: Soldier Location: Rashke's Farm
• Trauma Revelation — Burned village trauma revealed. Characters: Soldier Location: Rashke's Farm
• Nikolaev's Intervention — Nikolaev orders calm. Characters: Soldier Location: Rashke's Farm
• Family Departure — Rashke family departs. Characters: Soldier Location: Rashke's Farm
• Prisoner Appearance — Three emaciated prisoners appear. Characters: Soldier Location: Rashke's Farm

Prisoner Testimonies and Aftermath

Emaciated former prisoners reveal Rashke's atrocities. The soldiers attempt capture but fail, ending with a poignant postwar contrast.

Key Events

• Prisoner Appearance — Three emaciated prisoners appear. Characters: Soldier Location: Rashke's Farm
• Stefan's Testimony — Stefan recounts wife's execution. Characters: Soldier Location: Rashke's Farm
• Gas Chamber Revelation — Gas chambers described. Characters: Soldier Location: Rashke's Farm
• Engineer's Lament — Brother's execution bill recalled. Characters: Soldier Location: Rashke's Farm
• Guard Dog Memories — Guard dog memories haunt. Characters: Soldier Location: Rashke's Farm
• Capture Attempt — Soldiers try to capture Rashke. Characters: Soldier Location: Rashke's Farm
• Peaceful Closing — Peaceful city scenes close film. Characters: Soldier Location: Postwar City

Story Breakdown

• Occupation Dynamics — Soldiers settle at German farm under watchful eyes.
  • Farm Residence — Troops take temporary quarters on Rashke's property.
  • Suspicious Departures — Rashke family leaves nightly, raising unit suspicion.
• Motorcycle Detour — Nikolaev's accident leads to unexpected reunion.
  • Crash Incident — Lieutenant crashes bike en route to town.
  • Mansion Reunion — Comrades rescue him at abandoned estate.
• Camp Exploration — Nighttime wander reveals war's darkest legacy.
  • Barracks Discovery — Soldiers find silent concentration camp ruins.
  • Boiler Room Theory — Thick walls and furnaces spark grim speculation.
• Farm Tensions — Domestic dispute exposes deep wartime scars.
  • Pig Accusation — Rashke's son blames soldier for livestock death.
  • Trauma Revelation — Accused soldier's burned village past surfaces.
• Prisoner Testimonies — Emaciated survivors share harrowing accounts.
  • Stefan's Account — Polish man details wife's forced labor and death.
  • German Engineer's Lament — Engineer recalls state betrayal and execution bills.
• Justice Attempt — Moral outrage drives soldiers toward retribution.
  • Capture Plan — Troops unite to apprehend Rashke for camp crimes.
  • Rashke's Disappearance — Target vanishes, leaving soldiers with unresolved horror.
• Postwar Contrast — Cinematic framing highlights war's lingering shadow.
  • Newsreel Opening — Wartime footage establishes historical gravity.
  • Peaceful Closing — Serene city scenes underscore poignant narrative shift.

Directed by

Marlen Khutsiyev

Key Cast

• Aleksandr Arzhilovskiy
• Pyotr Todorovskiy
• Sergey Shakurov
• Viktor Uralsky
• Vladimir Gostyukhin